Litae
The Litae | |
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Personifications of Prayers | |
Abode | Atë |
In
Family
Homer describes them as kourai "maidens" of Zeus rather than thugateres "daughters", so it is not clear if they were his literal daughters.[4]
This is supported by
Mythology
They appear in
‘The very immortals can be moved; their virtue and honour and strength are greater than ours are, and yet with sacrifices and offerings for endearment, with libations and with savour men turn back even the immortals in supplication, when any man does wrong and transgresses. For there are also Litai (Spirits of Prayer), the daughters (kourai) of great Zeus, and they are lame of their feet, and wrinkled, and cast their eyes sidelong, who toil on their way left far behind by the spirit of Ruin (Ate): but she, Ate (Ruin), is strong and sound on her feet, and therefore far outruns all Litai (Prayers), and wins into every country to force men astray; and the Litai (Prayers) follow as healers after her. If a man venerates these daughters of Zeus as they draw near, such a man they bring great advantage, and hear his entreaty; but if a man shall deny them, and stubbornly with a harsh word refuse, they go to Zeus, son of Kronos, in supplication that Ate (Ruin) may over take this man, that he be hurt, and punished. So Akhilleus: grant, you also, that Zeus' daughters be given their honour, which, lordly though they be, curbs the will of others.[7]
This is an obvious allegory on the supposed power of prayer to mitigate the misfortunes into which one's folly has led one.[citation needed
Notes
- ^ Homer, Iliad 9.450; Quintus Smyrnaeus, Posthomerica 10.300
- ^ Homer, Iliad 9.502; Eustathius ad Homer p. 768
- ^ Hesychius s.v. Aigai, calls them Aetae, which however is probably only a mistake in the name
- ^ Homer, Iliad 9.502.
- ^ Quintus Smyrnaeus, Posthomerica 10.301 (pp. 440, 441). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Homer, Iliad 9.502 ff.
- ^ Homer, Iliad 9.498 ff. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
References
- Quintus Smyrnaeus, Quintus Smyrnaeus: The Fall of Troy, translated by A. S. Way, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 1913. Internet Archive.